TOYS: As an operator in the wide, wide world

Life is an adventure and some jobs can be dangerous. PMC for example: Private Military Contractor. In the past, they were called mercenaries, today they are contractors or contract workers. Basically armed security or escort protection. And when things go wrong: man is in a pinch, as seen in the picture above. Luckily, that's just a picture on a model kit: "Desert Battle Series. Skull Clan2" in 1/35 scale by Master Box.

That was the moment when we decided: we'll buy a pickup, preferably a Toyota Hillux with a small ZPU flak gun on it. This one was even affordable... It's all about the scale: 1/35 instead of 1/1 is the luck of the little man.

This is the crate of the 1/35 scale model by Meng. They have several pickups on offer and there are also companies that make upgrade kits, etched parts to perfect the kit, figures, and resin vegetation.

The nightmare of every PMC: being captured and humiliated. Now imagine that as a plastic figure in 1/35 scale.

Master Box is definitely a fan of good taste: that's why they have this set "Somewhere On Our Planet. Sharing a Smoke" in 1/35 scale.

Some might be bothered by the depiction of child soldiers. We also condemn the fact that the PMC boy gets a cigarette. But in the world of model making, some things are not suitable for children.

If we were to build a quad bike, this figure would have a good chance of being our chosen one. But just looking at her is somehow beautiful.

The 1/35 figure sets from Master Box can be found on Ebay.com, they are priced at a sexy $15 (shipped). The various pickups from Meng in 1/35 can also be found there at $25 to $30 (shipping included). Various accessory sets can be found by the model maker if they search for "1/35 pickups".

MASTER BOX on the web: www.mbltd.info

MENG MODEL on the web: www.meng-model.com